Receptacle mounted electric clock

ABSTRACT

Clocks with electrical prongs secured in and extending out of the rear of the clock housing. The prongs are shown in the upper part of the clock housing for plugging the clock into the lower of a two-receptacle arrangement so as to clear the upper receptacle, and vice versa. Also shown is an embodiment wherein the clock has a rectangular housing of the length and width of the cover plate for the receptacles. In all embodiments the clock is supported by frictional engagement of the prongs and receptacle, and by pressure of the clock housing against the wall or cover plate. A further embodiment is shown with provision for screw fastening the clock housing to the receptacle center point.

limited States Patent Blenkhorn RECEPTACLE MOUNTED ELECTRIC CLOCKInventor: Charles W. Blenkhorn, 3199 Via Buena, Laguna Hills, Calif.95653 Filed: May 10, 1974 Appl. No.: 469,027

US. Cl. 58/56, 339/147 P, 58/23 Int. Cl G041! 37/14, H011 3/00 Field ofSearch 58/23 R, 53, 56;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-George H.Miller, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmPerry E. Turner [57] ABSTRACT Clockswith electrical prongs secured in and extending out of the rear of theclock housing. The prongs are shown in the upper part of the clockhousing for plugging the clock into the lower of a two-receptaclearrangement so as to clear the upper receptacle, and vice versa. Alsoshown is an embodiment wherein the clock has a rectangular housing ofthe length and width of the cover plate for the receptacles. In allembodiments the clock is supported by frictional engagement of theprongs and receptacle, and by pressure of the clock housing against thewall or cover plate. A further embodiment is shown with provision forscrew fastening the clock housing to the receptacle center point.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 RECEPTACLE MOUNTED ELECTRICCLOCKBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to electric clocks.

2. Description of the Prior Art As is well known, an electric clock hasa cord to be plugged into a wall receptacle. As often as not, the clockis located approximately at the level of the receptacle, e.g., on akitchen or bathroom counter wherein the receptacle is slightly above thecounter, or on a low living room or bedroom table surface only a fewinches above the receptacle. Also, such a receptacle is often still inplain view while the clock is plugged in, and the cord is easily damagedas it is moved about, e.g., by being tripped over, or yanked about whenmoving the clock accidentally or on purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention embraces an electric clock in ahousing in which prongs are secured, whereby the clock is supported bythe wall receptacle into which the prongs are plugged. Further, thisinvention embraces such clocks employing prongs to be plugged intotwo-or three-hole receptacles, and wherein the prongs are secured in anydesired position in the clock housing. Also, this invention embracessuch clock housings adapted to be screw fastened in place at a wallreceptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front view of a clock ofthe invention directly plugged into a wall receptacle;

FIG. 2 is side elevation view of the clock of FIG. 1, showing the wallreceptacle and cover plate in phantom and the prongs from the clockhousing extending into the receptacle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a clock of the invention having prongslocated for plugging the clock into a receptacle having a groundedterminal;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a clock of the invention showing prongsextending from the center portion of the housing;

FIG. 5 is a front view as in FIG. 1, but showing a clock housingprovided with a tab by which to secure the clock to the ground screw ofthe receptacle; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a clock of the invention shaped to spanthe cover plate.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, aclock 10 in accordance with this invention has a housing 12 and aconventional front surface over which clock hands 14, 16 are movablebehind a transparent face 18. Also, the clock mechanism (not shown) isconventional and mounted in the housing in normal fashion. The hands areadapted to be manually set in usual fashion, also, and to this end amanually operable knob 20 accessible from the back of the housing 12 isprovided for rotating the control shaft for the hands.

However, the motor terminals are connected directly to prongs 22, 24that are secured at one end in the housing 12, the prongs extending outof the back of the housing to be plugged into a wall receptacle. In thisregard, FIGS. 1 and 2 show conventional dual receptacles 26, 28 andcover plate 30 secured to the receptacle frame by ground screw 32. Thetwo pongs provided are those typical for a two-hole receptacle, and inthis embodiment'are located near the top of the housing. With prongsthus positioned, the top-most part of the clock is clear of the upperreceptacle when it is plugged in. Thus, the upper receptacle isavailable for use and the clock can remain plugged in while the cord ofsome applicance is plugged into the upper receptacle.

The clock is retained in the wall receptacle by the frictional fit ofthe prongs with the conductive elements in the receptacle holes.Additionally, although the clock may be an extremely light unitembodying miniature mechanisms in a plastic housing, the back of theclock bears against the cover plate 30 to provide pressure points whichaid in keeping the clock in place.

Various advantages are obtained with the clock thus directly plugged in.It is snugly retained against the wall (via the cover plate) on which itis mounted. It therefore cannot readily be inadvertently struck andthereby be dislodged and damaged. It cannot be tripped over. It does nottake up wall space as is required of conventional wall clocks. Still, itcan readily be viewed and is of sufficient size to permit one to readilyascertain the time.

FIG. 3 shows a clock housing 40 wherein the prongs to be plugged into awall outlet are located adjacent the bottom portion of the housing. Inthis example, prongs 42, 44, 46 are shown as for a conventionalthree-prong plug, and in such case the third prong 46 grounds the clockthrough the electrical system of the house or building while the clockis plugged in. It will also be noted that the embodiment of FIG. 3 isadapted to be plugged into the upper receptacle 26 of FIG. 1 so as toclear the lower receptacle 28 and permit its use for other matters.Alternatively, of course, clocks as above described can be plugged intoboth the receptacles 26, 28, e.g., as where it is desired to have twoclocks on different times standard and daylight savings, eastern andpacific, etc. In the FIG. 3 embodiment, of course, the set knob 48 forthe clock hands is located above the prongs, eg. as near the upperportion of the housing.

In FIG. 4, a clock is shown having a housing 50 wherein prongs 52, 54extend from the mid-portion of the back wall. In such case, the set knob56 may be located above or below the prongs. The embodiment of FIG. 4can be plugged into either of dual receptacles. If the housing is of asize as represented by the clock of FIG. 1, it will prevent use of theother of the dual receptacles.

FIG. 5 illustrates a clock in accordance with the invention which usesmechanical fastening means to hold the clock in place. The clock 60shown in FIG. 5 is plugged into the lower receptacle as with the clockshown in FIG. 1. However, the clock 60 has a tab 62 extending from itshousing, such tab having an eyelet wherein the opening is aligned withthe ground screw 32 when the clock is plugged in. Thus, the ground screwis removed before plugging in, and replaced after plugging in to fastenthe tab to the cover plate 30. Such a feature may be provided, forexample, to prevent ready removal of the clock as by theft. As will nowbe apparent, such a clock as in FIG. 3 may be provided with a tabprojecting from its lower-most portion, whereby to permit it to besecured by the ground screw when plugging the clock into the upperreceptacle.

FIG. 6 illustrates a clock of the invention which obscures thereceptacles altogether. The clock housing in this embodiment isrectangular, and one of the same dimensions as the cover plate 30. Theprongs are not shown in this embodiment, but may be positioned forplugging the clock into either the'upper or lower receptacles. If theprongs are to be plugged into the lower receptacle, they are located inthe lower half of the housing to insure the edges of the housingregister with those of the cover plate. Similarly, locating prongs inthe upper half of the housing permits the clock housing to be registeredwith the edges of the cover plate when plugged into the upperreceptacle.

I claim: 1. In combination: a housing for a clock mechanism,

said housing having a front wall over which the clock hands are movable,said housing having a back wall through which to apply power to theterminals of the clock motor within the housing; a and conductive prongssecured at one end in said housing and connected to the motor terminals,said prongs extending out of said back wall and adapted to be insertedin receptacle holes of conventional wall receptacles, said prongs wheninserted in receptacle holes being in frictional engagementwithconductive elements in the receptacle .holes so as to maintain theclock in position against the receptacle.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said prongs are positioned sothat when plugged into one of a pair of adjacent receptacles, saidhousing is clear of the other receptacle to permit its use for otherpurposes.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said housing has a tab extensionproviding an eyelet,

said eyelet being adapted to be secured to. the cover plate of aconventional dual receptacle wall outlet via the ground screw thereof.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein said housing is rectangular,

said prongs being adapted to be plugged into a receptacle having a coverplate, said housing being of the same dimensions in length and width assaid cover plate, and said prongs being positioned so that when pluggedinto the receptacle the sides of said housing are substantially coplanarwith the edges of said cover plate. 5. The combination of claim 1,wherein said prongs are adapted for connection to twoor three-holdreceptacles.

1. In combination: a housing for a clock mechanism, said housing havinga front wall over which the clock hands are movable, said housing havinga back wall through which to apply power to the terminals of the clockmotor within the housing; and conductive prongs secured at one end insaid housing and connected to the motor terminals, said prongs extendingout of said back wall and adapted to be inserted in receptacle holes ofconventional wall receptacles, said prongs when inserted in receptacleholes being in frictional engagement with conductive elements in thereceptacle holes so as to maintain the clock in position against thereceptacle.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said prongs arepositioned so that when plugged into one of a pair of adjacentreceptacles, said housing is clear of the other receptacle to permit itsuse for other purposes.
 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein saidhousing has a tab extension providing an eyelet, said eyelet beingadapted to be secured to the cover plate of a conventional dualreceptacle wall outlet via the ground screw thereof.
 4. The combinationof claim 1, wherein said housing is rectangular, said prongs beingadapted to be plugged into a receptacle having a cover plate, saidhousing being of the same dimensions in length and width as said coverplate, and said prongs being positioned so that when plugged into thereceptacle the sides of said housing are substantially coplanar with theedges of said cover plate.
 5. The combination of claim 1, wherein saidprongs are adapted for connection to two- or three-hold receptacles.